Cycling in winter: An extra day's holiday for winter cyclists?

Cycling is very important for achieving climate targets and reducing pollution in cities. But how can we get as many people as possible to use the environmentally friendly vehicle in winter too? A recent study by the Institute of Communication and Marketing IKM at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts in cooperation with the HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management has investigated how to keep cyclists in the saddle even in the cold season. One important finding: those who see cycling as part of their lifestyle also cycle more often in winter, and those who recognise the health benefits also stay mobile on two wheels in winter.

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More than 11,000 cyclists surveyed

The biggest hurdles included safety concerns in bad weather, darkness and dangerous paths. The authors of the study also asked what would motivate cyclists to get on their bikes in winter. The biggest incentive would be an extra day's holiday as a reward. For the study, 11,034 cyclists in Switzerland were surveyed online - one of the largest studies on winter cycling. The authors conclude that not only good and cleared cycle paths are crucial, but that incentives can also help.